Santander, which owns Crompton Place, has applied to build a 1,300-seat cinema, with the capability to show 3D movies.

Malcolm Angus, manager of Crompton Place, said the plans were very exciting news for Bolton and said “a considerable sum” would be spent transforming the centre.

He said: “We have got a redundant space on the first floor where TK Maxx used to be. The space has been vacant since 2007.

“It’s going to be tough, with the Market Place plans, but it’s a plan we’ve had on the back-burner for quite some time, and if it’s given the green light from the council and landlords we can hopefully drive it forward.

“What Bolton is gravely lacking is this night-time economy — rather than a pub or club, we’re missing out in comparison to Wigan or Bury in that we don’t have restaurants like Nandos plus a cinema.

“Hopefully, that is something we can bring to boost the town centre and stop people leaving at 5.30pm.”

Under the plans submitted to Bolton Council the former TK Maxx unit, the top floor of New Look and the former Games Workshop will be turned into the cinema, suitable for 3D movies, plus a restaurant.

On the ground floor nine retail units — including clothes shop Miss Cute, the Card and Party Centre, Pound Empire, Crystal Nails, Chinese remedy store Dr and Herb and Midas Jeweller — will be changed from shops into four diners.

All the stores are currently on short-term leases which will be ended if plans are given the go-ahead.

Crompton Place’s underground car park currently has 240 spaces, and there are no plans to extend it.

Meanwhile, questions have been raised by the town’s leaders about whether Bolton can sustain two cinemas in the town centres, as well as the Vue Cinema at Middlebrook and Cineworld at The Valley, in Eagley Brook Way.

An application to change the designated use from retail to leisure could also pave the way for other attractions, such as a bowling alley or a lasertag complex.

When dealing with the bid from Crompton Place, officers and councillors cannot, under planning regulations, refuse an application on the basis of competition, meaning that the current Market Place plans will not prevent the application going through.

Instead, they will have to weigh up “material planning considerations”, which covers issues such as whether there is enough parking, the design and appearance of the planned build and the impact on highway safety.

Cllr Cliff Morris, leader of Bolton Council, said: “It is significant that the private sector has again identified Bolton town centre as a place where it would like to invest, and this application will now go through the planning process.

“However, we made it clear to the applicants some time ago that the council was committing its support to the Market Place scheme, which includes the provision of the nine-screen cinema development and associated restaurants.

“We will be meeting the applicant again soon on the basis of encouraging them to work with the council in identifying possible alternative leisure uses for Crompton Place.”

Comments (38)

sounds good - especially for those without their own transport who can access by bus - however, would like to be able to get home after visiting - currently Bolton Town Centre is a no-go area due to transport home stopping at 9.40 pm. To pay £12 for a taxi would put this pleasure out of reach financially. I wish the scheme every success. A bit of healthy competition hurt no-one.

sounds good - especially for those without their own transport who can access by bus - however, would like to be able to get home after visiting - currently Bolton Town Centre is a no-go area due to transport home stopping at 9.40 pm. To pay £12 for a taxi would put this pleasure out of reach financially. I wish the scheme every success. A bit of healthy competition hurt no-one.oftbewildered2

A bit of competition doesn't do any harm however I think it would be a great idea if they considered a bowling alley instead. Two cinemas so close together will surely result in one of them failing sooner or later. Like the previous comment says, transport links will be key to this working.

A bit of competition doesn't do any harm however I think it would be a great idea if they considered a bowling alley instead. Two cinemas so close together will surely result in one of them failing sooner or later. Like the previous comment says, transport links will be key to this working.Boltoner1

Boltoner1 wrote:
A bit of competition doesn't do any harm however I think it would be a great idea if they considered a bowling alley instead. Two cinemas so close together will surely result in one of them failing sooner or later. Like the previous comment says, transport links will be key to this working.

bowling alley sounds great

[quote][p][bold]Boltoner1[/bold] wrote:
A bit of competition doesn't do any harm however I think it would be a great idea if they considered a bowling alley instead. Two cinemas so close together will surely result in one of them failing sooner or later. Like the previous comment says, transport links will be key to this working.[/p][/quote]bowling alley sounds greatoftbewildered2

As much as I'd like something to be done with the town centre to make it a place where people would come back to, I don't think two cinemas is a good idea. One - fair enough, but if we end up with two one will end up being closed. Competition can only make them drop the prices to a certain level trying to get the customers, but once it reaches the near the coat level then that's it. Cinemas in the Valley and Middlebrook are looking dead anyway.
I agree bowling would be nice and some nice restaurants instead of those dodgy looking pubs and clubs

As much as I'd like something to be done with the town centre to make it a place where people would come back to, I don't think two cinemas is a good idea. One - fair enough, but if we end up with two one will end up being closed. Competition can only make them drop the prices to a certain level trying to get the customers, but once it reaches the near the coat level then that's it. Cinemas in the Valley and Middlebrook are looking dead anyway.
I agree bowling would be nice and some nice restaurants instead of those dodgy looking pubs and clubsBilulek

oftbewildered2 wrote:
sounds good - especially for those without their own transport who can access by bus - however, would like to be able to get home after visiting - currently Bolton Town Centre is a no-go area due to transport home stopping at 9.40 pm. To pay £12 for a taxi would put this pleasure out of reach financially. I wish the scheme every success. A bit of healthy competition hurt no-one.

£12 taxi fare is £3 each if four of you go. Cheaper than the bus maybe.

[quote][p][bold]oftbewildered2[/bold] wrote:
sounds good - especially for those without their own transport who can access by bus - however, would like to be able to get home after visiting - currently Bolton Town Centre is a no-go area due to transport home stopping at 9.40 pm. To pay £12 for a taxi would put this pleasure out of reach financially. I wish the scheme every success. A bit of healthy competition hurt no-one.[/p][/quote]£12 taxi fare is £3 each if four of you go. Cheaper than the bus maybe.Donkey Stone

Bilulek wrote:
As much as I'd like something to be done with the town centre to make it a place where people would come back to, I don't think two cinemas is a good idea. One - fair enough, but if we end up with two one will end up being closed. Competition can only make them drop the prices to a certain level trying to get the customers, but once it reaches the near the coat level then that's it. Cinemas in the Valley and Middlebrook are looking dead anyway.
I agree bowling would be nice and some nice restaurants instead of those dodgy looking pubs and clubs

when was the last time did you go to the cinema the two cinemas you mention are always busy, wed thurs fri and the weekends

[quote][p][bold]Bilulek[/bold] wrote:
As much as I'd like something to be done with the town centre to make it a place where people would come back to, I don't think two cinemas is a good idea. One - fair enough, but if we end up with two one will end up being closed. Competition can only make them drop the prices to a certain level trying to get the customers, but once it reaches the near the coat level then that's it. Cinemas in the Valley and Middlebrook are looking dead anyway.
I agree bowling would be nice and some nice restaurants instead of those dodgy looking pubs and clubs[/p][/quote]when was the last time did you go to the cinema the two cinemas you mention are always busy, wed thurs fri and the weekendswaterbottle

oftbewildered2 wrote:
sounds good - especially for those without their own transport who can access by bus - however, would like to be able to get home after visiting - currently Bolton Town Centre is a no-go area due to transport home stopping at 9.40 pm. To pay £12 for a taxi would put this pleasure out of reach financially. I wish the scheme every success. A bit of healthy competition hurt no-one.

£12 taxi fare is £3 each if four of you go. Cheaper than the bus maybe.

live alone and am a bit of a loner - but thanks for the thought anyway

[quote][p][bold]Donkey Stone[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]oftbewildered2[/bold] wrote:
sounds good - especially for those without their own transport who can access by bus - however, would like to be able to get home after visiting - currently Bolton Town Centre is a no-go area due to transport home stopping at 9.40 pm. To pay £12 for a taxi would put this pleasure out of reach financially. I wish the scheme every success. A bit of healthy competition hurt no-one.[/p][/quote]£12 taxi fare is £3 each if four of you go. Cheaper than the bus maybe.[/p][/quote]live alone and am a bit of a loner - but thanks for the thought anywayoftbewildered2

I'm in agreement. What possible benefit could there be to having two cinemas within a km of each other? That only works within a major city, which Bolton is not. Unless this cinema is willing to show alternative or art house movies, the other one will edge it out.

I personally think they should concentrate their efforts on differentiating what will be on offer in both shopping centres. For instance, shift all commercial retail over to Crompton place and keep Market Hall for entertainment and food retail.

This will fail. We were all happy with the Market Place cinema idea, let's not confuse everything.

I'm in agreement. What possible benefit could there be to having two cinemas within a km of each other? That only works within a major city, which Bolton is not. Unless this cinema is willing to show alternative or art house movies, the other one will edge it out.
I personally think they should concentrate their efforts on differentiating what will be on offer in both shopping centres. For instance, shift all commercial retail over to Crompton place and keep Market Hall for entertainment and food retail.
This will fail. We were all happy with the Market Place cinema idea, let's not confuse everything.stereo_world

I also would love a bowling alley we need things that families can do together a bowling alley can be used by the very young to the the more mature person. A laser quest would also be a good idea, something for the youth to do. After all we complain about the young ones hanging around let's give them something enjoyable to do. Also families spending time together can only be a good thing.

I also would love a bowling alley we need things that families can do together a bowling alley can be used by the very young to the the more mature person. A laser quest would also be a good idea, something for the youth to do. After all we complain about the young ones hanging around let's give them something enjoyable to do. Also families spending time together can only be a good thing.unicorns39

Please listen to the people this time.
One cinema is enough in the town centre.
How about bringing people into Bolton instead of sending them to neighbouring towns?
Bolton needs a bowling alley (Horwich) an ice rink (Blackburn) a roller disco rink (Wigan) or even a decent aquarium like sea life/blue planet (manchester/cheshire
).
We like to take our children out and do fun things together but when you have to take into account petrol/travel costs just to get there it puts you off, it would make more sense to keep the Bolton folk in Bolton and have these things on our doorstep, plus it may actually result in attracting people to our almost derelict town.
Why have a new interchange when there is nothing to come here for?!?!

Please listen to the people this time.
One cinema is enough in the town centre.
How about bringing people into Bolton instead of sending them to neighbouring towns?
Bolton needs a bowling alley (Horwich) an ice rink (Blackburn) a roller disco rink (Wigan) or even a decent aquarium like sea life/blue planet (manchester/cheshire
).
We like to take our children out and do fun things together but when you have to take into account petrol/travel costs just to get there it puts you off, it would make more sense to keep the Bolton folk in Bolton and have these things on our doorstep, plus it may actually result in attracting people to our almost derelict town.
Why have a new interchange when there is nothing to come here for?!?!Monty85

Laser Tag would be awesome. Imagine utilizing the 2 floors in the Crompton place to create a state of the art adventure. People would FLOCK here if they did it right.

Look at how the Trafford Centre utilize their second floor - Cinema, Crazy Golf, Laser Tag. If they turned the Crompton Place into a centre of entertainment like that, it would really bring the crowds in. You can download movies, but you can't download quality time with the family.

[quote][p][bold]Mick England[/bold] wrote:
Lazertag sounds great too![/p][/quote]Laser Tag would be awesome. Imagine utilizing the 2 floors in the Crompton place to create a state of the art adventure. People would FLOCK here if they did it right.
Look at how the Trafford Centre utilize their second floor - Cinema, Crazy Golf, Laser Tag. If they turned the Crompton Place into a centre of entertainment like that, it would really bring the crowds in. You can download movies, but you can't download quality time with the family.stereo_world

i think its a stupid idea to have two cinemas, like every one else said the idea of the bowling alley &/or laser tag is much more suitable, then the public have a choice of entertainment. i like the idea of the food eateries, but it mustnt be forgotten that we do need actual shops to shop in aswell.

Also Monty85 not sure if your aware but a roller disco has opened in bolton at burden park, quite a fun night and cheap you should give it ago.

i think its a stupid idea to have two cinemas, like every one else said the idea of the bowling alley &/or laser tag is much more suitable, then the public have a choice of entertainment. i like the idea of the food eateries, but it mustnt be forgotten that we do need actual shops to shop in aswell.
Also Monty85 not sure if your aware but a roller disco has opened in bolton at burden park, quite a fun night and cheap you should give it ago.boltonlife14

I am taken aback by the quality of the responses on here. Usually they are just full of whingers who don't like to see any change that doesn't include the increased frequency of bin collections or the further marginalisation of the less privileged.
A bowling alley would be far better than another cinema. It is more involving for the family plus the planned restaurants will fare better. When I go to the pictures I normally watch the film and then go home.
Hope they owners read these comments and take heed.

I am taken aback by the quality of the responses on here. Usually they are just full of whingers who don't like to see any change that doesn't include the increased frequency of bin collections or the further marginalisation of the less privileged.
A bowling alley would be far better than another cinema. It is more involving for the family plus the planned restaurants will fare better. When I go to the pictures I normally watch the film and then go home.
Hope they owners read these comments and take heed.Chrome1

I'm all for developing the shopping centres into more than shops, but I'm concerned about these new plans.

Forcing New Look into a one floor unit will surely decrease the amount they sell, pushing people to towns with bigger New Looks. In addition, some local, independent shops being kicked out to make way for food establishments.

They really needed to think differently about these plans. I hope they'd be offering the current businesses options to continue trading as they do. Dr and Herb has been there for a long time, for example.

Mention of other leisure activities like bowling and lasertag make me wonder why the Crompton Place is opting for a cinema, when they could go down the 'other' route and pick bowling and/or lasertag as their 'main attraction' that way they might not need to take away as many existing businesses and could do better without having the competition from the Market Place.

I'm all for developing the shopping centres into more than shops, but I'm concerned about these new plans.
Forcing New Look into a one floor unit will surely decrease the amount they sell, pushing people to towns with bigger New Looks. In addition, some local, independent shops being kicked out to make way for food establishments.
They really needed to think differently about these plans. I hope they'd be offering the current businesses options to continue trading as they do. Dr and Herb has been there for a long time, for example.
Mention of other leisure activities like bowling and lasertag make me wonder why the Crompton Place is opting for a cinema, when they could go down the 'other' route and pick bowling and/or lasertag as their 'main attraction' that way they might not need to take away as many existing businesses and could do better without having the competition from the Market Place.MissPeg

Bowling Alley and Ice Rink would fare soooo much better than another cinema.

With an Ice Rink there are more benefits than sitting on ones bottom watching a flick. One advantage being fitness, another the kids have a decent meeting place that is supervised and safe. Another being the involvement in the National Hockey Leagues giving an extra sporing team in our hometown other than BWFC that we can get involved with and support, plus it will bring in people from out of town and the associated revenue. Another cinema would just have people moving backwards and forwards and attract hardly anyone from out of town.

I keep saying it, if I have the money I would apply to do this myself. Maybe there is an entrepreneur out there in Bolton that could see the fantastic spin-offs associated with having a high quality Ice Rink in the town center. You could even attach a bowling alley to that, maybe even an Indy film cinema and radically change the Crompton Place for the better. That whole zone could be incorporated into a fantastic facade in front of the town hall instead of ugly 1960's-70's style architecture that looks completely out of place within the older beautiful buildings around the TC.

Bring it on.

Bowling Alley and Ice Rink would fare soooo much better than another cinema.
With an Ice Rink there are more benefits than sitting on ones bottom watching a flick. One advantage being fitness, another the kids have a decent meeting place that is supervised and safe. Another being the involvement in the National Hockey Leagues giving an extra sporing team in our hometown other than BWFC that we can get involved with and support, plus it will bring in people from out of town and the associated revenue. Another cinema would just have people moving backwards and forwards and attract hardly anyone from out of town.
I keep saying it, if I have the money I would apply to do this myself. Maybe there is an entrepreneur out there in Bolton that could see the fantastic spin-offs associated with having a high quality Ice Rink in the town center. You could even attach a bowling alley to that, maybe even an Indy film cinema and radically change the Crompton Place for the better. That whole zone could be incorporated into a fantastic facade in front of the town hall instead of ugly 1960's-70's style architecture that looks completely out of place within the older beautiful buildings around the TC.
Bring it on.Beyond News Forum

People say why dont we get this and why dont we get that im the same but its pointless because they dont ask us what we think would be auitable. I mean why would you have 2 cinemas in same place good idea to have 1 but 2 is stupid. Bowling alley would be good it cost about £5 on bus to middlebrook then £10 for 1 game and another i would like to see is a decent restraunt other thank Mcdonalds, subway and KFC

People say why dont we get this and why dont we get that im the same but its pointless because they dont ask us what we think would be auitable. I mean why would you have 2 cinemas in same place good idea to have 1 but 2 is stupid. Bowling alley would be good it cost about £5 on bus to middlebrook then £10 for 1 game and another i would like to see is a decent restraunt other thank Mcdonalds, subway and KFCAndyMorton

I've mentioned it before, the ice rink in the Town Hall square around Christmas time seems to be a huge success. So why don't Bolton Council along with the people (or others ) who run the ice rink, try to convert one of the empty car show rooms on Bradshawgate into an ice rink.

Also, can a entry/exit point between Bradshawgate and the Arndale Centre be seriously considered, because Bradshawgate has gone down-hill since it was isolated.

I've mentioned it before, the ice rink in the Town Hall square around Christmas time seems to be a huge success. So why don't Bolton Council along with the people (or others ) who run the ice rink, try to convert one of the empty car show rooms on Bradshawgate into an ice rink.
Also, can a entry/exit point between Bradshawgate and the Arndale Centre be seriously considered, because Bradshawgate has gone down-hill since it was isolated.Phil from Smithills

Phil from Smithills wrote:
I've mentioned it before, the ice rink in the Town Hall square around Christmas time seems to be a huge success. So why don't Bolton Council along with the people (or others ) who run the ice rink, try to convert one of the empty car show rooms on Bradshawgate into an ice rink.

Also, can a entry/exit point between Bradshawgate and the Arndale Centre be seriously considered, because Bradshawgate has gone down-hill since it was isolated.

Phil... kudos mate.

But the entrance/exit is pointless. What is on Bradshawgate for shoppers except countless spammy property shops and beer jaunts that are not even on the classy side of alcohol?

I agree if something was there to benefit shoppers.

[quote][p][bold]Phil from Smithills[/bold] wrote:
I've mentioned it before, the ice rink in the Town Hall square around Christmas time seems to be a huge success. So why don't Bolton Council along with the people (or others ) who run the ice rink, try to convert one of the empty car show rooms on Bradshawgate into an ice rink.
Also, can a entry/exit point between Bradshawgate and the Arndale Centre be seriously considered, because Bradshawgate has gone down-hill since it was isolated.[/p][/quote]Phil... kudos mate.
But the entrance/exit is pointless. What is on Bradshawgate for shoppers except countless spammy property shops and beer jaunts that are not even on the classy side of alcohol?
I agree if something was there to benefit shoppers.Beyond News Forum

That's the very point, since the entry/exit point was closed to appease Primark, Bradshawgate has lost it's appeal.

It always had property agents alongside of the building societies, furniture shops etc. a vibrant part of town with Nelson Square which is a shadow of its former glory when it had the exclusive Scholes & Scholes with the Prudential on the corner.

Something has to happen to make the place more prosperous and attract business and a entry point linking Bradshawgate and the Arndale is a start.

Although I not a fan of the new bus & tail interchange station on Newport Street, it may well help spruce up another part of our dilapidated part of the town centre.

That's the very point, since the entry/exit point was closed to appease Primark, Bradshawgate has lost it's appeal.
It always had property agents alongside of the building societies, furniture shops etc. a vibrant part of town with Nelson Square which is a shadow of its former glory when it had the exclusive Scholes & Scholes with the Prudential on the corner.
Something has to happen to make the place more prosperous and attract business and a entry point linking Bradshawgate and the Arndale is a start.
Although I not a fan of the new bus & tail interchange station on Newport Street, it may well help spruce up another part of our dilapidated part of the town centre.Phil from Smithills

Phil from Smithills wrote:
That's the very point, since the entry/exit point was closed to appease Primark, Bradshawgate has lost it's appeal.

It always had property agents alongside of the building societies, furniture shops etc. a vibrant part of town with Nelson Square which is a shadow of its former glory when it had the exclusive Scholes &amp; Scholes with the Prudential on the corner.

Something has to happen to make the place more prosperous and attract business and a entry point linking Bradshawgate and the Arndale is a start.

Although I not a fan of the new bus &amp; tail interchange station on Newport Street, it may well help spruce up another part of our dilapidated part of the town centre.

Equally Bank St matey :)

[quote][p][bold]Phil from Smithills[/bold] wrote:
That's the very point, since the entry/exit point was closed to appease Primark, Bradshawgate has lost it's appeal.
It always had property agents alongside of the building societies, furniture shops etc. a vibrant part of town with Nelson Square which is a shadow of its former glory when it had the exclusive Scholes & Scholes with the Prudential on the corner.
Something has to happen to make the place more prosperous and attract business and a entry point linking Bradshawgate and the Arndale is a start.
Although I not a fan of the new bus & tail interchange station on Newport Street, it may well help spruce up another part of our dilapidated part of the town centre.[/p][/quote]Equally Bank St matey :)Beyond News Forum

Put nout in get nout out pay for nout get for free all of a sudden you have nout !!

[quote][p][bold]english n proud[/bold] wrote:
Waste of money, don't go cinema anymore!! Too expensive, just download all latest films off internet and watch at home!![/p][/quote]Put nout in get nout out pay for nout get for free all of a sudden you have nout !!Sickandtiredoffit

Thank you boltonlife14 I have checked and will definitely be going, I have spoke to family and a few of us will be going now (shame that we will go somewhere other than bolton town centre for food and drinks though). Agree with a lot of the comments on here tonight, although I do not understand why there are so many 'thumbs down' for chrome1's comment??

Thank you boltonlife14 I have checked and will definitely be going, I have spoke to family and a few of us will be going now (shame that we will go somewhere other than bolton town centre for food and drinks though). Agree with a lot of the comments on here tonight, although I do not understand why there are so many 'thumbs down' for chrome1's comment??Monty85

Monty85 wrote:
Thank you boltonlife14 I have checked and will definitely be going, I have spoke to family and a few of us will be going now (shame that we will go somewhere other than bolton town centre for food and drinks though). Agree with a lot of the comments on here tonight, although I do not understand why there are so many 'thumbs down' for chrome1's comment??

Because certain posters, like myself and chrome, get automatically marked don because certain posters see the name and don't even read the comments and just mark down - pathetic really - and one of them has started to use a macro to increase the thumbs down even more - proven fact!

As for Crompton Place - yes we need something different than another cinema - Bowling alley is a good idea, or how about a resurrection of Nevada (ad yes I know of the weekly+ roller stating venue at Burnden), or as also been suggested ice skating, laser-questing - or how about turning Crompton Place into a Printworks-esque type venue.

But for all this to work there does need to be good transport links which Bolton currently does not have thanks to TfGM - also, yet again, the new Bus Station will be on the wrong side of town to serve Crompton Place with the majority of the boroughs bus services not actually going near Crompton Place and metroshuttle doesn't run in the evenings or Sundays!

But as one TfGM person has told me, "We often receive requests for earlier starts or later finishes on subsidised services and we liaise with bus operators to obtain costs and make a decision based on this. Service 544 is an example of a service where we enquired about a price for additional journeys but the costs proved prohibitive when compared to how much is paid for the provision of the existing service. As a result, we were unable to provide the additional journeys." So fat chance of improving bus services, but if this was happening in Manchester then TfGM would accommodate it like they have done in the past and currently doing so and as they currently are doing in Oldham with links to the new Metrolink extension and doing integration improvements in Rochdale with regards to their Metrolink line (notice a pattern?)!!!!!!

[quote][p][bold]Monty85[/bold] wrote:
Thank you boltonlife14 I have checked and will definitely be going, I have spoke to family and a few of us will be going now (shame that we will go somewhere other than bolton town centre for food and drinks though). Agree with a lot of the comments on here tonight, although I do not understand why there are so many 'thumbs down' for chrome1's comment??[/p][/quote]Because certain posters, like myself and chrome, get automatically marked don because certain posters see the name and don't even read the comments and just mark down - pathetic really - and one of them has started to use a macro to increase the thumbs down even more - proven fact!
As for Crompton Place - yes we need something different than another cinema - Bowling alley is a good idea, or how about a resurrection of Nevada (ad yes I know of the weekly+ roller stating venue at Burnden), or as also been suggested ice skating, laser-questing - or how about turning Crompton Place into a Printworks-esque type venue.
But for all this to work there does need to be good transport links which Bolton currently does not have thanks to TfGM - also, yet again, the new Bus Station will be on the wrong side of town to serve Crompton Place with the majority of the boroughs bus services not actually going near Crompton Place and metroshuttle doesn't run in the evenings or Sundays!
But as one TfGM person has told me, "We often receive requests for earlier starts or later finishes on subsidised services and we liaise with bus operators to obtain costs and make a decision based on this. Service 544 is an example of a service where we enquired about a price for additional journeys but the costs proved prohibitive when compared to how much is paid for the provision of the existing service. As a result, we were unable to provide the additional journeys." So fat chance of improving bus services, but if this was happening in Manchester then TfGM would accommodate it like they have done in the past and currently doing so and as they currently are doing in Oldham with links to the new Metrolink extension and doing integration improvements in Rochdale with regards to their Metrolink line (notice a pattern?)!!!!!!BWFC71

Monty85 wrote:
Thank you boltonlife14 I have checked and will definitely be going, I have spoke to family and a few of us will be going now (shame that we will go somewhere other than bolton town centre for food and drinks though). Agree with a lot of the comments on here tonight, although I do not understand why there are so many 'thumbs down' for chrome1's comment??

Because certain posters, like myself and chrome, get automatically marked don because certain posters see the name and don't even read the comments and just mark down - pathetic really - and one of them has started to use a macro to increase the thumbs down even more - proven fact!

As for Crompton Place - yes we need something different than another cinema - Bowling alley is a good idea, or how about a resurrection of Nevada (ad yes I know of the weekly+ roller stating venue at Burnden), or as also been suggested ice skating, laser-questing - or how about turning Crompton Place into a Printworks-esque type venue.

But for all this to work there does need to be good transport links which Bolton currently does not have thanks to TfGM - also, yet again, the new Bus Station will be on the wrong side of town to serve Crompton Place with the majority of the boroughs bus services not actually going near Crompton Place and metroshuttle doesn't run in the evenings or Sundays!

But as one TfGM person has told me, &quot;We often receive requests for earlier starts or later finishes on subsidised services and we liaise with bus operators to obtain costs and make a decision based on this. Service 544 is an example of a service where we enquired about a price for additional journeys but the costs proved prohibitive when compared to how much is paid for the provision of the existing service. As a result, we were unable to provide the additional journeys." So fat chance of improving bus services, but if this was happening in Manchester then TfGM would accommodate it like they have done in the past and currently doing so and as they currently are doing in Oldham with links to the new Metrolink extension and doing integration improvements in Rochdale with regards to their Metrolink line (notice a pattern?)!!!!!!

Wrong side of town to the Crompton Place? It's straight down the street with the elephants on and you're there. It's closer than the current one. I'd hardly call that wrong side of town. If anywhere isn't near the new bus station, it's the Market Place. That's the wrong side of town, but the shuttle bus does go by there. I'm not sure how you can get any closer to the Crompton Place, besides opening an entrance back where Primark closed one...and that would be accessible by the shuttle bus (though I can't imagine how many people would want to stand with drunkards whilst waiting for the bus to take them to the station). I'm sure if demand for the shuttle bus to run at night or on Sundays increased, then it could. But we need to set up a decent evening and night leisure crowd first, and we need to improve Bolton's economy.

[quote][p][bold]BWFC71[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Monty85[/bold] wrote:
Thank you boltonlife14 I have checked and will definitely be going, I have spoke to family and a few of us will be going now (shame that we will go somewhere other than bolton town centre for food and drinks though). Agree with a lot of the comments on here tonight, although I do not understand why there are so many 'thumbs down' for chrome1's comment??[/p][/quote]Because certain posters, like myself and chrome, get automatically marked don because certain posters see the name and don't even read the comments and just mark down - pathetic really - and one of them has started to use a macro to increase the thumbs down even more - proven fact!
As for Crompton Place - yes we need something different than another cinema - Bowling alley is a good idea, or how about a resurrection of Nevada (ad yes I know of the weekly+ roller stating venue at Burnden), or as also been suggested ice skating, laser-questing - or how about turning Crompton Place into a Printworks-esque type venue.
But for all this to work there does need to be good transport links which Bolton currently does not have thanks to TfGM - also, yet again, the new Bus Station will be on the wrong side of town to serve Crompton Place with the majority of the boroughs bus services not actually going near Crompton Place and metroshuttle doesn't run in the evenings or Sundays!
But as one TfGM person has told me, "We often receive requests for earlier starts or later finishes on subsidised services and we liaise with bus operators to obtain costs and make a decision based on this. Service 544 is an example of a service where we enquired about a price for additional journeys but the costs proved prohibitive when compared to how much is paid for the provision of the existing service. As a result, we were unable to provide the additional journeys." So fat chance of improving bus services, but if this was happening in Manchester then TfGM would accommodate it like they have done in the past and currently doing so and as they currently are doing in Oldham with links to the new Metrolink extension and doing integration improvements in Rochdale with regards to their Metrolink line (notice a pattern?)!!!!!![/p][/quote]Wrong side of town to the Crompton Place? It's straight down the street with the elephants on and you're there. It's closer than the current one. I'd hardly call that wrong side of town. If anywhere isn't near the new bus station, it's the Market Place. That's the wrong side of town, but the shuttle bus does go by there. I'm not sure how you can get any closer to the Crompton Place, besides opening an entrance back where Primark closed one...and that would be accessible by the shuttle bus (though I can't imagine how many people would want to stand with drunkards whilst waiting for the bus to take them to the station). I'm sure if demand for the shuttle bus to run at night or on Sundays increased, then it could. But we need to set up a decent evening and night leisure crowd first, and we need to improve Bolton's economy.MissPeg

Monty85 wrote:
Thank you boltonlife14 I have checked and will definitely be going, I have spoke to family and a few of us will be going now (shame that we will go somewhere other than bolton town centre for food and drinks though). Agree with a lot of the comments on here tonight, although I do not understand why there are so many 'thumbs down' for chrome1's comment??

Because certain posters, like myself and chrome, get automatically marked don because certain posters see the name and don't even read the comments and just mark down - pathetic really - and one of them has started to use a macro to increase the thumbs down even more - proven fact!

As for Crompton Place - yes we need something different than another cinema - Bowling alley is a good idea, or how about a resurrection of Nevada (ad yes I know of the weekly+ roller stating venue at Burnden), or as also been suggested ice skating, laser-questing - or how about turning Crompton Place into a Printworks-esque type venue.

But for all this to work there does need to be good transport links which Bolton currently does not have thanks to TfGM - also, yet again, the new Bus Station will be on the wrong side of town to serve Crompton Place with the majority of the boroughs bus services not actually going near Crompton Place and metroshuttle doesn't run in the evenings or Sundays!

But as one TfGM person has told me, &quot;We often receive requests for earlier starts or later finishes on subsidised services and we liaise with bus operators to obtain costs and make a decision based on this. Service 544 is an example of a service where we enquired about a price for additional journeys but the costs proved prohibitive when compared to how much is paid for the provision of the existing service. As a result, we were unable to provide the additional journeys." So fat chance of improving bus services, but if this was happening in Manchester then TfGM would accommodate it like they have done in the past and currently doing so and as they currently are doing in Oldham with links to the new Metrolink extension and doing integration improvements in Rochdale with regards to their Metrolink line (notice a pattern?)!!!!!!

Wrong side of town to the Crompton Place? It's straight down the street with the elephants on and you're there. It's closer than the current one. I'd hardly call that wrong side of town. If anywhere isn't near the new bus station, it's the Market Place. That's the wrong side of town, but the shuttle bus does go by there. I'm not sure how you can get any closer to the Crompton Place, besides opening an entrance back where Primark closed one...and that would be accessible by the shuttle bus (though I can't imagine how many people would want to stand with drunkards whilst waiting for the bus to take them to the station). I'm sure if demand for the shuttle bus to run at night or on Sundays increased, then it could. But we need to set up a decent evening and night leisure crowd first, and we need to improve Bolton's economy.

But the Metroshuttle does NOT run in teh eveings or Sundays when thsi sort of place would be popular.

And as shown the Metroshuttle which is provided financially by TfGM do not like shelling out money as the bus companies want more and more money from TfGM to provide the service. It is NOT about demand for a service (although that is a sensible way of doing things) but it is the COST of opertaing it and how much the bus companies can demand. Remember TfGM provide many evening and Sunday services with financial help and that money comes from our Council tax.

Again, if you look at the plans - the situation of the so-called entertainment centre will be behind Marks and Spencer and not off Victoria Square - hence the only entrance open in the evsnings and Sundays will be through the old Shipgates Centre doors (next to Boots) and not off Victoria Square or opposite St Andrews Court, therefore the walking distance from the new bus station and railway station will be just the same as the new Market Place development (with the nearest bus stop being on Deansaget (outside teh old HSBC Bank) - so yep the wrong side of town.

[quote][p][bold]MissPeg[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]BWFC71[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Monty85[/bold] wrote:
Thank you boltonlife14 I have checked and will definitely be going, I have spoke to family and a few of us will be going now (shame that we will go somewhere other than bolton town centre for food and drinks though). Agree with a lot of the comments on here tonight, although I do not understand why there are so many 'thumbs down' for chrome1's comment??[/p][/quote]Because certain posters, like myself and chrome, get automatically marked don because certain posters see the name and don't even read the comments and just mark down - pathetic really - and one of them has started to use a macro to increase the thumbs down even more - proven fact!
As for Crompton Place - yes we need something different than another cinema - Bowling alley is a good idea, or how about a resurrection of Nevada (ad yes I know of the weekly+ roller stating venue at Burnden), or as also been suggested ice skating, laser-questing - or how about turning Crompton Place into a Printworks-esque type venue.
But for all this to work there does need to be good transport links which Bolton currently does not have thanks to TfGM - also, yet again, the new Bus Station will be on the wrong side of town to serve Crompton Place with the majority of the boroughs bus services not actually going near Crompton Place and metroshuttle doesn't run in the evenings or Sundays!
But as one TfGM person has told me, "We often receive requests for earlier starts or later finishes on subsidised services and we liaise with bus operators to obtain costs and make a decision based on this. Service 544 is an example of a service where we enquired about a price for additional journeys but the costs proved prohibitive when compared to how much is paid for the provision of the existing service. As a result, we were unable to provide the additional journeys." So fat chance of improving bus services, but if this was happening in Manchester then TfGM would accommodate it like they have done in the past and currently doing so and as they currently are doing in Oldham with links to the new Metrolink extension and doing integration improvements in Rochdale with regards to their Metrolink line (notice a pattern?)!!!!!![/p][/quote]Wrong side of town to the Crompton Place? It's straight down the street with the elephants on and you're there. It's closer than the current one. I'd hardly call that wrong side of town. If anywhere isn't near the new bus station, it's the Market Place. That's the wrong side of town, but the shuttle bus does go by there. I'm not sure how you can get any closer to the Crompton Place, besides opening an entrance back where Primark closed one...and that would be accessible by the shuttle bus (though I can't imagine how many people would want to stand with drunkards whilst waiting for the bus to take them to the station). I'm sure if demand for the shuttle bus to run at night or on Sundays increased, then it could. But we need to set up a decent evening and night leisure crowd first, and we need to improve Bolton's economy.[/p][/quote]But the Metroshuttle does NOT run in teh eveings or Sundays when thsi sort of place would be popular.
And as shown the Metroshuttle which is provided financially by TfGM do not like shelling out money as the bus companies want more and more money from TfGM to provide the service. It is NOT about demand for a service (although that is a sensible way of doing things) but it is the COST of opertaing it and how much the bus companies can demand. Remember TfGM provide many evening and Sunday services with financial help and that money comes from our Council tax.
Again, if you look at the plans - the situation of the so-called entertainment centre will be behind Marks and Spencer and not off Victoria Square - hence the only entrance open in the evsnings and Sundays will be through the old Shipgates Centre doors (next to Boots) and not off Victoria Square or opposite St Andrews Court, therefore the walking distance from the new bus station and railway station will be just the same as the new Market Place development (with the nearest bus stop being on Deansaget (outside teh old HSBC Bank) - so yep the wrong side of town.The Righteous One

Well, it seems cinemas are a bit like buses, none for ages then two come at once!

Lets look at this proposal - yep, Bolton did need a town centre cinema, so that is welcome.

A 2nd, as long as its not showing the same films!
3rd, will it house the same sort of poor quality take away dross as countless other establishments?

It was also mentioned about a bowling alley? Well, that will be hit eh!
Again, burgers, beer, colas, crisp and disco bowling!

What makes a town is character, its people, its outlook and its drive to be unique.

Why has no one opened up a comedy club to build on Peter Kay & Paddy McGuiness's success?

What about live music? Why is Dublin so loved?

The Council needs to really look at itself hard here, instead of trying to recreate the wheel at every opportunity.

The quote above about Cllr Cliff, really summed it all up.
But when you have a desperate bunch in control, you will more often than not get desperate ideas and pitiful solutions

Well, it seems cinemas are a bit like buses, none for ages then two come at once!
Lets look at this proposal - yep, Bolton did need a town centre cinema, so that is welcome.
A 2nd, as long as its not showing the same films!
3rd, will it house the same sort of poor quality take away dross as countless other establishments?
It was also mentioned about a bowling alley? Well, that will be hit eh!
Again, burgers, beer, colas, crisp and disco bowling!
What makes a town is character, its people, its outlook and its drive to be unique.
Why has no one opened up a comedy club to build on Peter Kay & Paddy McGuiness's success?
What about live music? Why is Dublin so loved?
The Council needs to really look at itself hard here, instead of trying to recreate the wheel at every opportunity.
The quote above about Cllr Cliff, really summed it all up.
But when you have a desperate bunch in control, you will more often than not get desperate ideas and pitiful solutionsMike23

Monty85 wrote:
Please listen to the people this time.
One cinema is enough in the town centre.
How about bringing people into Bolton instead of sending them to neighbouring towns?
Bolton needs a bowling alley (Horwich) an ice rink (Blackburn) a roller disco rink (Wigan) or even a decent aquarium like sea life/blue planet (manchester/cheshire

).
We like to take our children out and do fun things together but when you have to take into account petrol/travel costs just to get there it puts you off, it would make more sense to keep the Bolton folk in Bolton and have these things on our doorstep, plus it may actually result in attracting people to our almost derelict town.
Why have a new interchange when there is nothing to come here for?!?!

Spot on

[quote][p][bold]Monty85[/bold] wrote:
Please listen to the people this time.
One cinema is enough in the town centre.
How about bringing people into Bolton instead of sending them to neighbouring towns?
Bolton needs a bowling alley (Horwich) an ice rink (Blackburn) a roller disco rink (Wigan) or even a decent aquarium like sea life/blue planet (manchester/cheshire
).
We like to take our children out and do fun things together but when you have to take into account petrol/travel costs just to get there it puts you off, it would make more sense to keep the Bolton folk in Bolton and have these things on our doorstep, plus it may actually result in attracting people to our almost derelict town.
Why have a new interchange when there is nothing to come here for?!?![/p][/quote]Spot oneatmytruth

Bring back Lazer Quest! When we had a Cinema and Lazer Quest next to each other they both did very well, but ended up being demolished and apartments (as usual) being built. If we had two cinema's (which we don't need) in the town centre then I feel it would take a lot of the trade away from Cineworld in The Valley and thus in turn could end up being shut down and houses being built in it's place! Or maybe that is the ultimate plan........ I am sick to the back teeth of everything being turned in to housing! Loco Works - Housing. Atlantis Nightclub - Housing. Bolton College (Manchester Road) - Soon to be Housing. No pride in our heritage anymore! FED UP!

Bring back Lazer Quest! When we had a Cinema and Lazer Quest next to each other they both did very well, but ended up being demolished and apartments (as usual) being built. If we had two cinema's (which we don't need) in the town centre then I feel it would take a lot of the trade away from Cineworld in The Valley and thus in turn could end up being shut down and houses being built in it's place! Or maybe that is the ultimate plan........ I am sick to the back teeth of everything being turned in to housing! Loco Works - Housing. Atlantis Nightclub - Housing. Bolton College (Manchester Road) - Soon to be Housing. No pride in our heritage anymore! FED UP!FreedomOfSpeech1945

Which is of course a criminal offence! Thee are pay sites like ITunes, but I don't think you mean those somehow! And of course its film piracy that's putting up ticket prices at the cinema, whether we like it or not.

[quote][p][bold]english n proud[/bold] wrote:
Waste of money, don't go cinema anymore!! Too expensive, just download all latest films off internet and watch at home!![/p][/quote]Which is of course a criminal offence! Thee are pay sites like ITunes, but I don't think you mean those somehow! And of course its film piracy that's putting up ticket prices at the cinema, whether we like it or not.Old Boltonian